The Taming by Jude Deveraux Read Free Book Online Page B

Liana?”
    â€œYes, oh certainly.” They were walking side by side down a wide wagon path through the forest. Twice he’d offered to take her arm, but she’d refused him. “How does a man want a wife to act?” she asked.
    She wasn’t aware of how Sir Robert’s chest swelled with pride as her words raised his hopes. “Wives were meant to give a man comfort and support, to make a home for him, to bear his children. Wives are to give a man love.”
    She raised one eyebrow at him. “And as much land as her father can afford?”
    Sir Robert chuckled. “That helps, of course.”
    Liana was frowning as she remembered Rogan’s words: “I’ll marry no shrews. I’ll take her only if she’s biddable and soft-spoken.”
    â€œI guess all men like soft, obedient women,” she said.
    Sir Robert looked at her with lust in his eyes, lust for her beautiful person as well as for the wealth that came with her. For his part she could be a vixen, in fact he rather liked her spitefulness, but he would never tell a woman that. It was better to tell them to be obedient and hope for the best.
    They walked in silence, but Liana’s head was reeling. Why would she even consider marriage to someone like Lord Rogan? There was nothing to recommend him. He had treated her with every discourtesy, but then he’d thought she was a peasant. He’d probably have kissed her hand and murmured pleasant phrases about the perfume of her skin if he’d known who she was. And would lice crawl up her arm? she wondered.
    She looked at Sir Robert and gave him a weak smile. He was clean and pleasant and boring—oh so very, very boring. “Would you kiss me?” she asked on impulse.
    Sir Robert didn’t have to be asked twice. Gently, he took her in his arms and pressed his lips against hers.
    Liana could have fallen asleep. She stepped back and looked at Sir Robert in surprise. So that was why she considered marrying Lord Rogan. She desired him. When he kissed her, her toes curled. When he stood before her with almost no clothing on, her own body grew hot. Right now Sir Robert could remove every stitch of his clothing and she knew she’d feel nothing.
    â€œLiana,” he whispered, and took a step toward her.
    Liana turned away so quickly, his hair ruffled in the breeze she caused. “I have to return. I have to tell my father I agree to the marriage.”
    Sir Robert was so stunned he stood still for a moment, unable to move. Then he ran after Liana, grabbed her into his arms, and began kissing her neck and throat. “Oh my darling, you have made me the happiest man on earth. You don’t know what this means to me. We’ve been plagued with fires for the last year. I had nearly lost hope of being able to rebuild.”
    She pulled away from him. “I thought it was my golden hair and my sapphire eyes you desired.”
    â€œThat, too, of course.” He took both her hands in his and began kissing them enthusiastically.
    She snatched her hands away and hurried toward her horse. “You’ll have to find someone else to rebuild for you. I’ve decided to marry the oldest Peregrine.”
    Sir Robert let out a yelp of genuine horror as he ran after her and caught her arm. “You cannot possibly consider any of them. They are—”
    She put her hand up to stop him. “It is not for you to decide. Now, I’m going to return to my house and you may remain here or go with me. When you do return, I suggest you take your men and leave the Neville lands and go in search of another heiress to repair your damaged estates. And next time, perhaps you’ll take better care of your properties and prevent the fires before they start.” She went to her horse and mounted.
    Sir Robert looked after her for a moment, his disappointment leaving him. Perhaps he was better off without this termagant. Marriage to a woman like her could